While the US Lacrosse Convention (LaxCon) has grown into the largest gathering of the lacrosse community at a non-field event each year, providing professional development for those entrusted with the sport’s future remains its core focus.
To that end, the national governing body of lacrosse is putting the finishing touches on another impressive lineup of coaches that will host dozens of educational sessions and networking opportunities Jan. 19-21, 2018, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Several speakers already have been announced, and the nearly complete slate of coach presenters has been posted on the event webpage.
Until Nov. 30, US Lacrosse is offering an early-bird promotion on LaxCon tickets. US Lacrosse member price is just $90, and general-public tickets are $130. Each of which represents a $70 savings on their respective walk-up rates.
“Of all the training content we publish and clinics we host each year, LaxCon by far gives coaches the most value in terms of quality and quantity of presentations and networking chances,” Kim Rogers, director of events at US Lacrosse, said. “We capture the majority of sessions either on video or on audio synched to the speaker’s presentation, and registered attendees get free access to that library of content after the event. That extends LaxCon’s impact and value throughout the year.”
Current high school and youth lacrosse coaches will get to pick the brains of their more accomplished and experienced colleagues on any number of topics essential to helping coaches provide a great experience for players, on and off the field. Coaches scheduled to host sessions range from the best of the college ranks, like national champion John Tillman of Maryland and semifinalist Cindy Timchal of Navy, to high school veterans like Rob Bordley of Landon (Md.) and Amy Orcutt of Conestoga (Pa.), among a variety of others.
Variety remains important in speaker selection, particularly with respect to topics and to coaches. Tillman and Timchal, for example, are making their first appearances at LaxCon, while several popular speakers return. As the U.S. women's team coach, Ricky Fried was a regular. Still atop the Georgetown program, Fried offers just as much. Head or assistant coaches of the U.S. national teams routinely dot the slate of presenters, and this year is no different.
“I love talking lacrosse with other coaches — the X’s and O’s, philosophies, player development, everything,” Duke and Team USA men’s coach John Danowski said. “No matter what level you coach, you embody all of that when you interact with your players. LaxCon is a great event for coaches to learn about all of the aspects of coaching, so you can then teach each player what he or she needs at a given time. I’m looking forward to it.”
Danowski is back after two years off (though one was due to a blizzard), and he’ll be joined by Team USA men’s indoor coach Regy Thorpe as US Lacrosse will offer several box-specific sessions for the first time. A small box arena in the expo hall represents perhaps the most significant new demonstration area at LaxCon, supporting the increased box lacrosse commitment from US Lacrosse to include standard rules of play and member insurance coverage.
LaxCon represents lacrosse’s largest educational event and trade show, drawing upwards of 7,000 each year. Special hotel rates are available for all attendees who book accommodations before Dec. 17. Visit uslacrosse.org/laxcon for more information or to secure tickets and lodging.